MTO: Resolutions for Mid-Georgia

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Resolutions for Mid-Georgia

Every New Year's eve, my husband and I each develop five goals each for ourselves, based on what we want most from life and what we need to do to get it. We also see whether we have accomplished the ending year's goals. We look forward to this annual ritual, which gives us both satisfaction (for the goals we met) and new resolve (for those we haven't). Since this column runs Day One of the new year, I thought I'd suggest five worthy community goals for 1999:

1. Think regional.

Since two-thirds of our state's population is in Atlanta, it's odd how we fractionalize Middle Georgia into little local fiefdoms. Macon must shed its myopic views - Bibb County isn't even half of the metropolitan statistical area anymore. The biggest name in Macon means very little if it isn't recognized elsewhere in our region. Houston County's population now exceeds 100,000, so it's time for Warner Robins and Perry to stop bickering. None of our counties have much clout without the other. The state has reorganized its economic development structure into regional approaches, but locally we have a way to go. Kudos to our United Way of Central Georgia. Years ago this nonprofit realized that forward-thinking industry sees Middle Georgia as a single entity.

2. Understand what "support the base" means, and how important it is to all of us.

Our 18,000-job economic engine is under tremendous pressure. Many discussions are taking place today on how the military should streamline, including drastically reducing workloads at the bases or closing more of them, and what part of weaponry management should be outsourced to private industry. During the last BRAC reviews, our community ratings for the RAFB were generally positive, but certainly not perfect. We're increasingly challenged to prove the Middle Georgia area is the most attractive place for the military to conduct missions and RAFB as the most efficient place to maintain our weaponry.The 21st Century Partnership is the local community group established to preserve the base's presence in Middle Georgia. Members need your money and participation; and your understanding and support. You can call them at 922-3777 or download an application to join at www.robins21.org.

3. Revitalize Macon's downtown. It's worth it.

For folks who don't yet know it, downtown Macon is a far more fun place to visit lately, with a rash of new restaurants and entertainment venues. Many regional centers are enjoying a rebirth of their downtowns, thanks to local leadership and an improved economy. But for Macon to achieve the kind of success that Chattanooga has had, we must proceed with far more intensity. Plans for new land uses, signs, parking and transportation must all be coordinated so that we can add successful ventures in housing, entertainment, and office space. Our wealth of attractions need to be supported with enhancements that create a better tourist and resident experience. This takes priorities and a purse. The NewTown Macon organization must set clear priorities, and we all need to be prepared to financially support this effort. Chattanooga and Columbus had war chests of $14 million and $40 million to start these efforts. Readers outside of Macon have a stake in this too. Attracting industry of any type is easier if a good quality of life can be presented, and there's no better showcase of what this community is like than downtown Macon.

4. Learn how to give up "turf" and win.

Too many times I have heard how trying to lead an effort in Macon is like herding cats. I've sat in meetings where several of the biggest offenders listed "turf protection" as the biggest obstacle to success. Political leaders and business support organizations need to look themselves in the eye to see if they deserve an esteemed cat collar - many of them do. Macon/Bibb has an excellent chance to show how a community can strengthen itself with a success from the unification commission. Let's make sure nobody is allowed to shelve this group's efforts, and we may be able to donate our cat collars to another deserving community.

5. Plan our communities' futures just as a business would.

No business would think of launching programs and projects without having some sort of a plan. And no successful business is likely to write a plan that few of its people refer to. While each community is required by the state to submit a plan each year, these carefully drafted plans are shared with few people and referred to by even fewer. The end result is that priorities and decisions are made not on the plan at hand, but on politics - those with the strongest voices championing specific efforts. Call your county commissioners' office to request a copy of your community's plan, and read it to see if it makes sense.

Carol Hudler is president and publisher of The Macon Telegraph. Contact her at chudler@macontel.com or by writing to P.O. Box 4167, Macon, GA 31208.